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Are Wheat and Gluten the Same Thing?

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Are wheat and gluten the same thing?

If you suffer from an allergy to wheat and/or gluten you're not alone. These allergies and intolerances can cause symptoms that are fairly mild to life threatening. But what is the difference between wheat and gluten?

It seems that sometimes the words are used almost interchangeably in ingredient lists and conversations about what ails us, but there is, in fact, a difference!

Wheat is a grain. We all know that. Gluten is the sticky protein that is found in wheat and other grains such as barley, rye, malt, and - to some extent - oats. Wheat and gluten are related - they come together in a package.

Gluten is what binds the dough in breads and baked goods. So if wheat and gluten are not the same thing, but are so closely related, is it possible to have an allergy or intolerance to one and not the other?

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Foods To Avoid

Well, if you're allergic to gluten, you need to stay away from wheat, since wheat contains gluten. And if you're allergic to wheat, since gluten is part of wheat's make up, then you probably need to avoid gluten as well. But if you're allergic only to wheat, you can still enjoy other grains that have gluten in them.

What are signs and symptoms of a wheat or gluten allergy or intolerance? Allergic reactions to wheat and/or gluten can include the following: digestive disturbances such as vomiting, diarrhea, gas, constipation and bloating, chest pain, nausea, hives, eczema, swelling and even anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of wheat and/or gluten intolerance can be: digestive disturbances similar to wheat/gluten allergy, fatigue, irritability, skin irritations, vomiting, heartburn and headaches

Wheat and Gluten Free Food

Wheat Gluten Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms will usually come on very quickly after ingestion of even a small amount of wheat or gluten. The symptoms of intolerance may not show up at all, or be delayed.

Sometimes people with intolerances can have small amounts of wheat or gluten with no problem, only having issues when they eat large amounts of the problem ingredient. Gluten intolerance or allergy has also been tied to autism and other behavioral disorders.

Research is currently being conducted, but placing autistic children on a gluten-free diet has shown positive results. Along with autism, gluten allergies seem to cause other symptoms that wheat allergies don't. They include osteoporosis, weight gain or loss, slow growth in infants and children, and depression.

Learn More About Wheat Gluten Allergy

How are you dealing with your food allergy?

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mommafox Feb 14, 2012 @ 8:55 pm | delete

We have a diabetic daughter who was diagnosed last year. She's been in pain since I can remember. It's very difficult to get her to change her eating habits. Thanks for getting the information out there. I hope gluten free becomes more common and affordable so people start taking this disease (Celiac Disease) seriously. My sister's father-in-law nearly died before he was diagnosed.

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MindMart Feb 15, 2012 @ 12:13 am | delete

Hope my article helped a little. Thanks for stopping by.

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jackiebolen Aug 10, 2011 @ 3:33 am | delete

Interesting lens...I've always wanted to know!

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HeatherLTapia011 Jul 18, 2011 @ 4:20 pm | delete

Do you think people are getting too obsessed with this? My aunt can't seem to live any more and is in constant pain. Hope see learns to let go! I count my self lucky I have few sensitivities to food

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kajohu Jul 17, 2011 @ 6:03 am | delete

Very good information! I know a few people with gluten intolerance, and they feel so much better since they reduced or eliminated gluten from their diet. One, a doctor, had been having health problems for awhile and other doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong (they thought she should have her gall bladder removed), but she finally figured it out on her own.

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pkmcr Jan 10, 2010 @ 2:11 pm | delete

Good to see someone else writing about Wheat and Gluten Allergies and Celiacs disease. As a sufferer it's an important area for me. Well done!